An Open Streets Family Reunion: Reflections from the 2018 Open Streets Summit

By Ryan O’Connor, Director of Programs, 8 80 Cities Recently 8 80 Cities wrote a blog post about open streets being a labour of love. That being the case, the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans felt like a family reunion of sorts. It was rejuvenating to see old and new friends who share our passion for open streets and are working tirelessly to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities across the world. The event, which took place on September 15-16, brought together more than 50 leaders who currently organize open streets programs or are interested in bringing the...

The post An Open Streets Family Reunion: Reflections from the 2018 Open Streets Summit appeared first on Open Streets Project.

Open Streets Summit Draft Agenda

We hope you are getting ready and feel excited about the Open Streets Summit in Gretna/New Orleans! Taking place from September 15-16, 2018, the Summit will feature tours, presentations and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Attendees will learn about the nuts and bolts of starting or scaling up open streets programs, including: Route design and planning Partnerships with business and officials Social inclusion Safety and logistics Marketing and promotion Program evaluation through measurable goals and metrics If you haven’t done it yet, click here to register for the Open Streets Summit only or...

The post Open Streets Summit Draft Agenda appeared first on Open Streets Project.

Open Streets Summit Speakers Announced!

The Open Streets Project is proud to announce that Ed Solis from Viva Calle (San Jose, CA), Romel Pascual from CicLAvia (Los Angeles, CA), Jaymie Santiago and Charles Brown from New Brunswick Ciclovia will join us as speakers for the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans and Gretna! Taking place from September 15-16 2018, the Summit will feature: Behind the scenes tour of the City of Gretna’s inaugural open streets program. Workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Training and inspiration for both -novice and experienced- open streets organizers and supporters...

The post Open Streets Summit Speakers Announced! appeared first on Open Streets Project.

LISC Launches Pilot Program with Wells Fargo Grant to Help Small Businesses Build Disaster Resilience

Climate disasters—combined with the lingering economic stress of the pandemic—present immediate challenges to the survival of small businesses and the outlook for long-term recovery and growth. With the generous support of the Wells Fargo Foundation, LISC is developing our Small Business Resiliency Network to ensure businesses can innovate, expand, and thrive.

In Praise of CDFIs, and Why We Need Them Now More Than Ever

LISC COO Annie Donovan knows her way around Community Development Financial Institutions. In the blog that follows, she offers an indispensable primer on how CDFIs work, the diverse ways and places they operate, and why they are imperative to building equitable and inclusive communities and helping close our country's racial wealth and opportunity gaps.

Honoring Juneteenth with a Historic (and Delicious) Cookie

LISC's work on behalf of the racial equity goals that Juneteenth stands for have taught us many things. Like how supporting small, Black-owned businesses is a critical component of helping close racial wealth and opportunity gaps. And that celebrating African-cultural cultural inheritances, like the beloved Southern tea cake, is a beautiful way to mark this weekend's holiday and Black history and creativity.